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irisheyes13
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Post by irisheyes13 »

Well I got caught hungry with limited safe foods at the ready last night and when I went to reach for some almond milk and found out it was gone, I got ambitious. I attempted homemade nut milk. I had plenty of almonds but none which were raw. :sad: I decided to soak a cup of raw macadamia nuts having no idea what I was doing or what the end product would be.

After soaking for an hour and drained the nuts and because there were no skins, went straight to the blender and added 3 cups of water. The straining was a bit tedious but once finished, the end product wasn't bad. The distinct flavor of macadamia nuts was there which was fine for me but tasted a little flat so I put the milk back in the rinsed blender and added a bit of honey and it was fabulous! I'm looking forward to purchasing some almonds this weekend and making almond milk so thanks for your detailed instructions on how to make it.

I did a bit of searching around the net this morning and happened upon nut milk bags along with a video of how to strain the nut milks quickly by squeezing the pulp, maximizing the yield. Have you heard of these and do you think they are worthwhile or would it be just as efficient to purchase some pellon and tulle? I already have a strainer.
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Post by sarkin »

Kelly - I used a nylon strainer that's super-fine, meant for tea, and ridiculously small for the job ;) And I moved the pulp in batches to a clean cotton cloth, which I placed in a small colander over a bowl (so I wouldn't miss a drop).

I would be happy to test drive those bags, if you can add the name to google, or the link! I am sure you could use the bags. The pellon or tulle would be similar to the results I got with my strainer, but even finer. If you're very sensitive to fiber, that would be a good idea. When I let it set in the fridge overnight, it continued to settle. (I don't seem to be especially sensitive to small amounts of fine fiber, but I was thinking if I were having a shaky day, I'd pour of the top few servings and save the bottom of the barrel for my husband - which sounds mean, but I'd actually be envious!)

YUM - my husband would love the macadamia milk, too. I am going to call Enterolab and try to add the new tests to my order. I will be crossing my fingers and toes that almonds are a friendly food...

Sara

p.s. I know what you mean about getting caught hungry. I need to be planning out further ahead, and on a more consistent basis.
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irisheyes13
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Post by irisheyes13 »

Sara - Thanks for the feedback. Your timing for Enterolab testing is perfect! It was serendipitous that I happened to go to the website yesterday. I had ordered testing from them last week and everything was as it had been for years but I logged on to check on something and there were all the new additions. I quickly picked up the phone and called because I wanted to see about what exactly we would be getting with the changes occurring. Kathy confirmed that they hold specimens for 4 weeks after the testing so if you want to wait to see what turns up first and then add on to the original testing after the fact, you do have that option.

I'm definitely living dangerously with the macadamia nuts because I haven't eaten them in the past 3 months since going restricted. I had just a small amount of the milk last night and I'm giving it 24 hours to see how it settles. If there are no problems then I'll indulge. It really was tasty and fairly smooth with just a hint of grit but I probably over blended. Your description of how you made almond milk sounds pretty much exactly what I did although I missed a *few* drops in my haste. It seemed a bit time consuming (but super easy) though and that is what sent me on my search.
http://www.purejoyplanet.com/store/prod ... cts_id=123
The video is on the same page as the nut milk bag in the link above. It took her a whole lot less time than it did me lol:) So easy and fresh and no additives! :wink:

Let me know whatcha think! Thanks.
Kelly

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Post by Gloria »

Hi Kelly,

Karen mentioned using a nylon paint bag when she makes almond milk. I think Pat used a bag, too.
Karen wrote:I've tried a lot of straining methods and coffee filters are way too fine. They clog too quickly. One tip I found searching on the internet was to use paint strainer bags. I found a pack of two at Lowes for about $1-2. They're just fine mesh nylon bags with elastic at the top so I can secure it around the top of a tall container. The mesh size is fine for me for most of the different "milks" I've tried making without clogging to badly. The good thing with it being nylon is that you can squeeze it without changing the mesh size much like some of the cloth bags, so if it does clog, you can do a little coaxing to empty out the current contents without causing a big blowout. On the rare occasion when I want a finer mesh, I'll use the paint strainer bag to do the bulk of the job and then use one of the finer cloth options and they don't clog as quick. I find the paint strainer bags clean up easier too - yes, they're reusable as long as you're only using them for food.


After watching the video, I think this would work if you don't grind the nuts too finely, which means you'd need more nuts to make an equivalent amount of milk. She doesn't recommend grinding too finely or it will clog the nylon mesh. I grind my nuts for two minutes - longer than she would recommend, and the nuts are very fine afterward.

The method used in the video requires a 1:2 ratio of nuts to water. She used 1 cup of nuts with 2 cups of water. I use a 1:4 ratio of nuts to water, using 1/2 cup of nuts with 2 cups of water, so I probably get the equivalent amount of milk using half the amount of nuts.

It certainly would be easier to use her method because straining is the most time-consuming part. If you're willing to sacrifice the amount of milk you get for more convenient straining, then the bag would probably work well.

I used to squeeze the tulle to get the milk. You could easily do that too without ordering the bag. I'm starting to think that I could do without the pellon because very little pulp ends up in it.

The other consideration is sanitation. My milk begins to sour after a week. The first time it did, I decided to heat the water first and not squeeze the netting by hand - I press it with a wooden spoon instead. I don't think it extends the life of the milk, though, so I may be worrying about the bacteria needlessly.

I'll be interested in what you decide to do and how it works for you.

Gloria
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Post by nancyl »

I checked out the video and want to give it a try. I was wondering how long it would last before going bad and also wondering why you couldn't freeze it. What do you think? I love almond extract, what do you think about adding a liittle of that to the almond milk? I know, I'm getting carried away. My favorite dessert is custard pie and now cannot have that, unless . . . you got it - making enough for a pie!!!

Thanks ladies, there is life after going DF!!

Nancy
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Gloria
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Post by Gloria »

It lasts about a week before turning sour. I haven't tried to freeze it, but I think it would be OK. You can add almond extract, but the almond flavor is apparent in the milk. It really is delicious plain.

I make almond pudding using the almond milk. I add 1 tsp. almond extract for extra flavor. I also make almond muffins and put almond extract in them. They are my favorite muffins right now. Both recipes are in Dee's kitchen.

You might consider using the pulp in baking. I dehydrate mine to store it as flour, but I also have used the wet pulp in baking muffins. I also use the wet pulp in my homemade mock mayonnaise.

Gloria
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Post by Mags »

Gloria--

Would cheesecloth work? I used it a lot when cooking pro, and it seems like it would be perfect. Have you tried it?

Mags
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Post by Gloria »

Mags,

I think I tried it, but it's pretty porous and uneven. The nylon tulle is more consistent and cleans up a lot easier. I just rinse it and dry it on the oven handle. Then it goes back into the closet.

Gloria
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Post by irisheyes13 »

Gloria- I never saw that post from Karen regarding the paint bag...as a matter of fact for all the painting I do, I'm not sure what one is lol! All of your points regarding how long to grind nuts, water to nut ratio and end quantity are all really good points and I will consider them so thanks for your expertise. My first try at this was with a nut I'm not familiar with and I think I over blended because even after lengthy and careful straining, there is a real fine grit to the milk.
What I have learned pretty quickly is that making our own nut milk is pretty darn easy and with a little bit practice, I'm sure I'll get it down to a quick job each week and have fresh, additive free nut milk. I imagine playing with the water amounts based on taste (thinner vs thicker/more concentrated) will determine the final quantity as well.

My plan is to get some raw almonds tomorrow and make a batch. I have some pecans as well but don't want to get too crazy until after my MRT results are in. I was just reading a recipe for dairy and gluten free coconut cream pie and used nut milk to make a fresh whipped cream. :chef2:

I have read that nut milks can be frozen. I may try freezing a small batch this weekend to give it a test.

Mags- The cheesecloth may work if you used a few layers but I don't think it would be worthwhile to try and reuse it. If you try it, let us know how it works out.
Kelly

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Post by sarkin »

Kelly - I can't wait to hear your results from freezing a batch. Not to mention the nut-milk whipped cream!

My first "real" batch (after the tiny test batch) was thicker/creamier than I expected. I just added water, depending on whether I was drinking it primarily as a food source or thirst-quencher. I'm bringing the last of it on my work project today, and just started a second batch of nuts soaking. I like them soaked at least 24-48 hours, for some reason.

We must be some of the smartest, most imaginative food-preppers and eaters on the planet!

Sara
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Post by Gloria »

Kelly wrote:I have read that nut milks can be frozen. I may try freezing a small batch this weekend to give it a test.


Do let us know how it tastes once it's been frozen. Travelling is on my mind now that I have a new car, and I'm wondering if I could safely can the almond milk to bring on trips. I haven't been able to find any information on canning nut milk. Has anyone tried it?

Gloria
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Post by sarkin »

I never thought of canning it - I am still int he first flush of novel joy with my fresh/raw-ish version, but it would be an incredible pantry bonus to have homemade almond milk in stock, especially as my busy season is kicking into gear.

I'm going to ask my best preserving friend to help me with an experiment (though, truthfully, Gloria - I believe that you will be the first to the finish line with the real answer here!).

Tomorrow I try my first project with the pulp/meal... my plan is to add a local raw honey and some 100% cocoa, then taste and see if I'm brave enough to add either coconut, or mashed banana. And then, depending on consistency, I'm consider either a low oven, or the dehydrator. So it's really kind of a mad-scientist project... but now that I mention it, I could try half a batch of each, and see which is more promising.

More from the lab when we get our results... bwahahaha,

xox
Sara
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Post by Gloria »

Sounds yummy, Sara. Let us know how it turns out.

I actually canned rice milk a while back, but got cold feet and threw it all out. I recently canned turkey broth which had some rice flour in it, and it's just fine. I might can the almond milk using the same time and pressure I use for meats, an hour and 15 minutes. That should kill every living thing inside. :smile: After all, the milk we buy in the stores are processed and presevered in containers.

I will be interested in what your canning friend says about it.

Gloria
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Post by sarkin »

Gloria,

Someone posted here just today "when in doubt, throw it out" - was that you? I cackled and added it to my mental list of things to needlepoint some day (along with "thanks, Tex - I didn't know that" and my BIL's various hilarious statements to his kids... like "Rule # 1 - no crying").

So you did the right thing with that rice milk. I'm going to set up a "play date" with my canning/preserving pal, with a lot of fresh nut milk on hand. I'm hoping we can try a couple of variations, with some advance planning. Any thoughts you have on the attempt would be appreciated ahead of time, and I'll let you know what we try and how it goes. (And I still you're going to beat us to the punch!)

I wonder how they do the Parmalat-style milk. That would seem a lot harder to 'stabilize' than almonds???

But you're right, the milk in stores is pasteurized and homogenized, and that definitely involves significant time & temperature.

I truly feel that the more I know, the more I realize I don't know.

Good night,

Sara
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Post by nancyl »

Gloria,
How to find Dee's kitchen? I am very interested in those muffins and pudding?

Nancy
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